Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-03-25
TRULY AMERICAN.
By MAZDA u. cEocKEs.

BY l1AliI1A u. CltOCKES.
The sunshine came through the riffs in
the scudding clouds. kissing the oceans
check into coquettish, sil"cry dimples; the
breeze sprang up from the south and
brea!hed of summer skies and warmer
chimes. md the outward bound ships,
white winged and free, were fast becoming
mere dots on the horizon.
Two girls came down from the Clifton
House. and seuntered idly along the beach.
The fresh breeze, the scudding clouds, and
the golden shafts of filful cleaning, We're
an inspiration to The one, while the other
was impressed that this coming to the sea-
side was nothing, more or less, than a
nuisance.
What a pure, bracing air, and what grand
looking clouds-sfrom purple to gray! and
how serene the blue sky beyond!" ex-
claimed No. one.
Grand I should say!!" answered her
companion; great. black, ugly things,
keeping out al the beauty of the day one
might enjoy; and the 'bracing air. which
has enrapturcd your soul, I should have i'm
asined was some hateful spirit of the sea,
sent on purpose to blow your hat of, and
play havoc with ribbons and drapery gen.
orally had you not put in your assertion
with so much ardor." By way of emphasis,
the second speaker settled her hat more
firmly On her head, and tucked the dainty
w%ind-blown curl" into closer confinement,
above the clouded brow.
"Pshaw! Ethel Sanester. you ought to
have remained at home. this season. I
heartily wish I had not dragged you from
Your mountain ~fastness to the 'horrid
Shore but I am usually doing something
10 be repented of later"
sHush!" rejoined she of the anxious
brew, you did not drag me; I came of my
OWL accord"
Il don't half beloved it, Ethel; there's been
something wrong ever since you packed
your trunks, and if you do not explain, and
give me a chance to mend matters, why
I'd as lief go home and suffocate in MARI
boro as not. If mamma or Cecil could
have accompanied me, this punishment
would not have fallen to your lot; but, as
they 'maAst GO to the %straits,' there was
nothing else left 10 do but to coax you and
Aunt Sherman to come with me-"
Il came of my WI accord, Hermie. so
/ beg Of you to not put on sackcloth for
any imaginary sin; I assure you I came
repeated her assertion rather absently,
looking sea-ward the while, and the sus-
picious culver of lip, and paling Of cheek,
seemed TO belle her words.
well, maybe you did, assented Hermie,
beautifully, @but it is quite puzzling to me
to understand anhy you came: then you
haven't smiled once since our arrival,
haven't appeared to be interested in any,
thing. and if you call this enjoyment, why
J am in doubt again."
II did not come for enjoyment, rest, no,
pleasure"
But That is what every one does com
for, isn't it,"
ut is quite fashionable to say SO, but ]
did not; I ran away from-myset," she
said, desperately.
Prom yourself? On! what nonsense!"
1T isn't snensense,' Hermie; my lines lie
far in the opposite. I came because 1 was
miserable, and because 1 wanted to forget
I have failed in forgetting, however, and
N miserable yet; miserable, miserable!"
There were tears now in the eyes OF
Miss Sangster. Hermie A%inscourt took
her profered arm and they walked some
distance in silence; she was sorry that she
had drawn Ethel out, in this way, if she
was miserable-and there was no doubt of
it now-but she could not understand why
one 60 blest with wealth, beauty, and
friends, could have time to be miserable.
Let us 60 back to the hotel" pleaded
Ethel, turning back with an impatient
gesture. II am tired of this cheat"
"Cheat3s
"Yes; this pretense of enjoying ones
self"
They retraced their steps in silence until
they neared the hotel, when the irrepressi-
bic Hermie said teasingly: "See! there's
Count Campan on the piazza, and I verify
believe he is Watching u.s."
A look of contempt settled on the bcauti-
full face of Miss Sangster, but her CON-
panion. not noticing it, continued by say
ing, "Now. Ethel, you may as we'll lay
aside your 'miserableness.' and catch 6
title; I fancy you made quite an impression
on his heart last evening at the cotillion.'
"Impression;' who cares? 1 never
should run the hazardous risk of catching
y title; too many silly American girls have
demonstrated the truth of it already; be-
sides, I am too truly American to cove
anything foreign. Why, 1 would not haze
a title!!"
"Ah! Then, I shouldgive my independent
hoart to a truly American lover, guiltless
of rank or title, of course, if I we're you,
ELhel,s